National Crime Agency officers have joined international partners in a major operation which has seen four people arrested in Germany today (Wednesday 25 March), as part of an investigation targeting a network suspected of supplying equipment to cross-Channel small boat people smugglers.

The raids, which took place in the North Rhine-Westphalia region this morning, also saw boats and engines seized, as well as petrol cans, pumps and life jackets, as officers raided a number of suspected storage warehouses linked to the gang. Residential properties were also searched.

Twelve locations in the western cities of Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Marl, Bottrop, Herdecke, and Lüdenscheid were targeted, with more than 450 police officers involved. A team of NCA officers deployed to Germany to assist.

Two addresses in Belgium were also searched.

The operation follows a joint investigation by the NCA and Belgian Federal Police, supported by colleagues from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Europol and Eurojust.

It began after the NCA received intelligence about a suspect consignment of tyre inner tubes being shipped into Italy in March 2025.

The inner tubes, which are often given by people smugglers to migrants on Channel boats in place of life jackets, were then transported to several storage locations controlled by the gang in Germany.

Once there, they would be linked up with inflatable boats, pumps and engines to form “go kits”, each worth over 10,000 euros on the black market, and suitable for one small boat launch. They would be purchased in Germany and shipped to the French coast for a fee.

Between April and December 2025, the NCA and Belgian colleagues were able to successfully intercept seven different vehicles carrying these kits, driving towards France, in Belgium.

Other linked interceptions were made by the authorities in France (five), Germany and the Netherlands (two each). In total 17 arrests were made.

Investigators believe that had these kits reached the French coast, they could have been used to transport around 1,000 people to the UK, with each individual boat crossing netting the gangs estimated profits of around 100,000 euros.

The individuals arrested today, all Syrian nationals, are suspected of being key figures in the organised crime group supplying this equipment. They now face extradition to Belgium where they face prosecution for people smuggling and being part of an organised crime group.

NCA Deputy Director of Investigations, Craig Turner, said:

“We believe this operation has successfully disrupted and dismantled a significant organised crime group supplying equipment to people smugglers operating in the Channel.

“These vessels are completely unsuitable for what they are being used for, with 70 or more people crammed on, propelled by a hugely under-powered engine.

“The fact that they are being put into the open sea in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes demonstrates the complete disregard these criminal networks have for the safety of those they transport.

“This operation will have dealt a blow to their business model and supply lines.

“I’m grateful for the co-operation and support of all our European partners who have contributed to this success.”

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris said:

“This operation shows the instrumental impact of working upstream with our international partners to shut down the criminal supply chains behind illegal small boat crossings.

“By targeting vile smugglers before boats even reach the water, we are hitting these gangs where it hurts most – their business model.

“Through closer co‑operation across Europe, we are delivering record high arrests, seizures and convictions. We will stop at nothing to restore and order and control to our borders.”

Tackling organised immigration crime remains a top priority for the NCA, with more than 100 investigations underway into individuals or networks involved.

This includes targeting equipment supply chains and in 2025, the NCA worked with international partners to seize more than 500 boats or engines.

In January 2026, through the NCA’s joint work with Belgian partners, we secured the conviction of Adem Savas, previously the Agency’s number one high value target. He was sentenced to eleven years in prison by a judge in Bruges.

Savas is thought to have supplied equipment used in half of all channel crossings in 2023.

25 March 2026